Praedicator

Verba

Friday, March 22, 2013 - 5th Week of Lent - Fri

[Jer 20:10-13 and John 10:31-42]

"I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God."

The scene has changed in today's passage from the Gospel of John. Note that we are now in chapter ten where the subject of conversation is different. I recommend reading the whole section from verse 22, which begins with a demand from the adversaries that Jesus tell them "in plain words" whether or not he is the Messiah. Jesus responds that he has answered that question but the adversaries cannot understand because they are not part of his flock. [cf 10:1-21] He then makes the statement, "The Father and I are one." [v. 30] This is when folks start picking up rocks!

The subsequent conversation can appear to be a lot of word-play to many folks. Why doesn't Jesus just SAY: YES! I AM THE MESSIAH!"? Here, however, we would be inserting our own modern linguistic expectations into an ancient context! The word, "messiah," in Jesus' day carried political and nationalistic overtones. Jesus' response, "The Father and I are one." comes as close as he will say about being "the messiah," because his identity as messiah is not the kind implied by his adversaries! They think HE is making HIMSELF equivalent to God, but he is not "making himself" anything. He is already "one" with the Father. To recognize that fact would require a faith that was lacking in his adversaries!

From our own perspective, we can become like children who know the whole story but when it is read and re-read to us, we still yell warnings to the heroes, etc. in hopes of influencing the course of events! Our faith ultimately answers the questions in the text, but if we are going to enter into the real experience of the drama, we can't be rushing things! We must be satisfied with the words, "The Father and I are one!" and follow the course of events as we move toward Holy Week. AMEN